06/13/2014

Interview with Elin Hilderbrand

Let’s be honest. We’ve all tried our hand at matchmaking. Who can resist the temptation of pairing a close friend or co-worker with a potential mate? Not this hopeless romantic! With some careful planning and good ol’ fashion luck, the stars have been known to align. Many of these relationships have even blossomed into happily-ever-after unions. Whether it’s a match made in heaven or a horrid dating disaster, it’s definitely worth a try.

This month’s Jen’s Jewels Elin Hilderbrand addresses this very topic in her latest release aptly titled, The Matchmaker. Recently, I had an opportunity to chat with her about this fabulous summer read and much more. As part of my interview, Little, Brown & Company has generously donated five copies for my trivia contest listed below. (Winners will be randomly drawn. Offer void where prohibited.) Be sure to stop by www.jennifervido.com, follow me on Facebook JenniferVido.com, or on Twitter and Pinterest @JenniferVido for the most up-to-date news in the publishing world.

Jen: As a bestselling author with thirteen books in print, your personal journey to publication is a story in itself. So that my readers may catch a glimpse into the life of the woman behind the words, please briefly share with us your educational and professional background.

Elin: I went to the Johns Hopkins University undergrad, then took 5 years off to live in both New York City and Nantucket, and then I returned to school to pursue my MFA at the University of Iowa.

Jen: Please describe for us your “Aha!” moment when you decided to take the plunge and pursue a career as a writer.

Elin: When I was seven years old, I won the second grade “Top Author” award, and that’s when I decided to take the plunge.I never wanted to do or be anything else.

Jen: In terms of nuts and bolts, approximately how long does it take for you to complete a novel? And, what is the most challenging part of the process?

Elin: Start to finish it’s about a year.I compose for nine months and then I revise for 6-8 weeks.The revising is very, very difficult because at that point, you have a completed novel so it’s a logic problem as to how to rearrange and rethink the elements to maximum advantage, suspense, and readability.

Jen: Which novel has been your personal favorite to write, and why?

Elin: Bizarrely, my favorite to write was WINTER STREET, my Christmas novel, which is coming out October 14th.I think because I had been doing “summer,” for so long it was a nice change to hang out inside by the fire.

Jen: Your latest release The Matchmaker is the perfect beach read about losing and finding love. How did you arrive at the premise?

Elin:I wanted to write a novel about a successful matchmaker who wanted to find matches for her husband, her lover, and her grown daughter before she died.The way this one line evolved into the novel is too Byzantine to explain.

Jen: Your main character Dabney Kimball Beech has a natural gift for matchmaking. Why did you choose to incorporate that into the storyline? Have you ever tried your hand at matchmaking?

Elin: My last novel, Beautiful Day, was a novel about a wedding, and about marriage in general.At the end of that novel, I, as a person, concluded that marriage is ultimately about luck.In this way, Dabney emerged.You’ll note she does not have any scientific reason for setting up her couples.It’s all done on the basis of “auras,” or in other words, her gut instinct.Which is as good a barometer as any I know.I personally feel that every human being probably has the power for matching up one other couple in their lives, but my time hasn’t come.

Jen: As you were writing the book, did you feel a certain connection to one of the characters?

Elin: I was really fond of Clendenin.He had just come back from Vietnam, a place I adore, and it was fun for me to write about his memories there.He’s a very complex, very wounded individual.

Jen: Let’s switch gears now and talk about your promotional plans. Please take us on a brief tour of your website highlighting points of interest.

Elin: I have hit a bump in the road with my health, so some of my early tour has been postponed.However, I will be in Chicago at the end of June.Then I am on Martha’s Vineyard, in Cohasset, Philadelphia, Bergen County, the Jersey Shore, and down in coastal Delaware, which is always a highlight.

Jen: Are you present in social media? And, what is the best way for my readers to keep abreast of your latest news?

Elin:I normally tweet a couple of times a day @elinhilderbrand and my Facebook page tells where I’m going to be and when.For excellent photos of my kids, one might follow me on Instagram @elinhilderbrand

Jen: Are you currently at work on your next book? If so, what may you share with us?

Elin:I finished WINTER STREET in March, then started on my novel for next summer, which is called THE RUMOR.It’s going to be scandalous.

Jen: When you take a break from writing, how do you like to spend your free time?

Elin: I go to the beach.I read.I cook.I travel – this past year, I’ve been to Hawaii, Cabo, and St John, Boca Raton, Houston and San Diego, where I stayed at the Coronado with my kids.I always love Manhattan; it’s my home away from home.

Jen: Are you involved in any charitable causes that have influenced you in a personal or professional way?

Elin:I have supported many Nantucket non-profits over the years, but my favorite is the Nantucket Boys & Girls Club; I served on the Board of Directors for 12 years.I’m also involved with PASCON (Hospice) and A Safe Place.

Jen: Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with my readers. Best of luck on your book tour! Happy summer!

Elin:Thank you for reading!

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Elin Hilderbrand. Please stop by your favorite online retailer or local library branch and pick up a copy of The Matchmakertoday. Better yet, how would you like to win a free copy instead? Okay, send me an email at jensjewels@gmail.com with the correct answer to the following trivia question and you’ll be entered to win. Good luck! (Offer void where prohibited.)

What is the name of Elin’s upcoming Christmas novel?

Stay tuned for more in-depth author interviews coming this summer. And as always, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels the ultimate source for news on today’s hottest authors.